Nelson upbeat after biopsy

Published: Friday, December 01, 2000

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Dallas Mavericks coach and general manager Don Nelson was in good spirits Wednesday after doctors failed to find any ''negative things'' following a biopsy of his swollen prostate, assistant coach Del Harris said.

Harris, coaching the Mavericks in Thursday night's game at Portland, said he spoke with Nelson earlier in the day.

''He was very upbeat, and said that the doctors were very positive and felt like that they had not found the negative things that they were looking for, which would have been bad news,'' Harris said. ''So in finding nothing, that's good news.''

Nelson, 60, underwent the test in Dallas on Thursday. He will rejoin the team Friday in the Bay Area, in time for Saturday night's game against Golden State.

Harris, who has a record of 556-457 as a head coach for three teams over more than 13 seasons, said it's the first time he's ever been an assistant filling in for a head coach.

''I've finished games for Nellie before when he got thrown out, but I've never started one for him,'' Harris said. ''This is a one-time shot.''

Harris joked that the biggest difference in not having the notoriously disheveled Nelson around is that he doesn't look as dapper.

''When I'm standing next to him, with what I'm wearing, I always look a little better.''

With Nelson in his fourth season, the Mavericks are off to one of the best starts in franchise history. At 10-5, they're on pace to win 55 games, which would tie the team record set during the 1986-87 season.

''He's put this team together, and they reflect a lot about him,'' Harris said.

Harris was a scout and assistant coach under Nelson with the Milwaukee Bucks from 1983-86. Portland coach Mike Dunleavy was later a Bucks' assistant when Harris became coach.

Harris was a consultant for Dunleavy for a few months last season before joining the Mavericks.